School of Pharmacy wins Kenneth Warren Prize!
What an incredible year it has been for the School of Pharmacy! The team won the prestigious Kenneth Warren Prize, a recognition that celebrates their incredible work and the support and inspiration provided by the Cochrane community.
The Cochrane community has long been a support system in evidence-based research. According to Professor Shaun Wen Huey Lee, Head of the School of Pharmacy at Monash University Malaysia, receiving this award is a celebration of passionate individuals committed to improving health outcomes worldwide. He expressed that the honour validates their team’s dedication to addressing critical healthcare challenges in low and middle-income countries.
The recognition from the Cochrane community holds particular importance as it highlights the importance of developing evidence-based solutions that are both culturally sensitive and practical for resource-limited settings.
The award-winning research focuses on evidence-based medicine for managing diabetes during Ramadan, when fasting can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). Through this study, the team aims to empower individuals with diabetes and healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to help people safely observe their religious obligations. Their recommendations include offering proper guidance, transitioning patients to medications with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia, and utilising technology to monitor health outcomes.
“This research truly exemplified collaborative excellence,” said Professor Lee. “Dr Renukha Sellappans supported the team with data extraction, while Professor Nai Ming Lai contributed his extensive clinical expertise and methodology knowledge. Dr Shakirah Binti Md. Sharif brought her expertise in clinical management, and our statistician, Dr Chen Won Sun, ensured robust data analysis. Each team member brought unique perspectives that enriched our understanding and approach.”
To achieve the goals of this research, the team partnered with local healthcare providers, religious leaders, and patient advocacy groups to ensure their recommendations were both medically sound and culturally appropriate.
When asked how their findings could be applied in clinical practice or public health policies, particularly in countries with large Muslim populations, Professor Lee outlined a vision for implementation at four levels:
- Primary Care: Integration of pre-Ramadan assessment tools and educational modules into routine care.
- Community Health: Collaborations with mosques and community centres to deliver education programs.
- Health Policy: Development of national guidelines incorporating evidence-based recommendations.
- Digital Health: Use of mobile health applications to implement monitoring protocols.
Future plans include expanding the findings across different healthcare settings, assessing the cost-effectiveness of these interventions, and conducting multi-country studies to refine protocols for various healthcare systems and cultural contexts.